Detroit Lions Expected To Promote Rodney Austin

With Detroit’s recent struggles to stay healthy on the offensive line branching out to Riley Reiff, the Lions have informed us that they intend to promote guard Rodney Austin from the practice squad this week. The move is expected to help their depth at guard. With Reiff expected to miss Thursday’s game against the Chicago Bears, Cornelius Lucas will likely be forced to start at left tackle and LaAdrian Waddle will start at right tackle. That leave only Garrett Reynolds as their backup tackle. With Travis Swanson starting in place of the injured Larry Warford, there is no one as a backup guard in case of injury. Promoting Austin gives the Lions a familiar face as a depth player in the event that they need him to play. Austin has been in the organization for a while now and has worked with this coaching staff for long enough to fit in better than a veteran off the street would.